PhD Program Virtual Open House

As a student in the PhD in Nursing program you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to identify and examine health problems that impact urban and underserved populations. Upon graduation, you will be able to assume the role of researcher, educator and scholar in a school of nursing, clinical agency, research center, or other setting. You will find yourself providing leadership for the profession and developing new knowledge that will influence nursing practice and improve health outcomes for all individuals.

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Research

Students will study with nursing faculty whose research programs address questions that extend across a broad health spectrum, from illness and self-management through health promotion. Collectively, the faculty has expertise in a variety of research interests, such as health issues of women, children, older adults and families, HIV, cancer, mental health, depression, substance use, sleep disorders, and use of technology in critical care.

Sample Curriculum and Degree Requirements

Post-master’s students (also referred to as Advanced Entry) will build on their prior degrees and clinical foundations by completing 48 semester hours, including the dissertation. Post-baccalaureate students will complete 60 semester hours, including the dissertation. On a full-time basis, students entering with a master’s degree can expect to commit a minimum of three years to completing the program; if entering with a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of four years. Both full- and part-time options are available to all students. Course descriptions can be found in the PhD Handbook.

2 courses, 3 credits each · 6 credits
Cognates are courses that are taken outside the School of Nursing and should provide depth and breadth to the student’s phenomenon of interest. Examples of cognates include:

PPUA 7247 Doctoral Seminar in U.S. Health Policy and Management

STRT 6220 Strategic Management for Healthcare Organizations

PHTH 5232 Evaluating Quality of Care

2 courses, 1-4 credits each · 6 credits
NRSG 9984
Students are required to complete 6 credits of supervised research practicum with a seasoned researcher. The purpose of the practicum is to develop student research skills through engagement with an active research project. Students must have a viable MA RN license. Research practicum activities vary and may include any or all of the following aspects of the research process:

Admissions Requirements

Application Deadline: March 15, 2018

A Massachusetts RN license is required prior to matriculation in the PhD program. If you are a registered nurse, you may enter the PhD program after completing a baccalaureate or a master’s degree. A degree in nursing is preferred.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree Entry

Post-Bac Entry

Minimum GPA of 3.5

X

X

Official transcript(s) of ALL college-level study

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X

A minimum GRE of 300 or equivalent for the verbal and quantitative combined, within the last 5 years

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X

three letters of recommendation that address your potential for a career in nursing research, with at least 2 recommendations from persons who have a PhD and can speak to the applicant’s ability to be successful in a PhD program

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X

satisfactory completion of an epidemiology course

X

satisfactory completion of a basic statistics course

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X

essay describing your goals and reason for pursuing a PhD in nursing and your research area of interest

Experiential Learning

As part of the curriculum, students are required to complete an experiential learning component referred to as the Research Practicum. The purpose of the practicum is to develop student research skills through engagement with an active research project. Students must have a current MA RN license. In the past, students have completed the following research practicum opportunities: research practicum opportunities:

Working with a research team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston to analyze the data from an underserved population in the Boston area who received vouchers to receive BRCA genetic testing.

Supporting researchers at the VA Hospital in Jamaica Plain on two research projects: a 12-week post-deployment veteran re-integration program, and a Translational Research project for veterans with TBI and Stress disorders.

Completing a literature review, manuscript development, and qualitative coding and interviewing at the VA Medical Center in Bedford, MA.

Supporting an NUCare pilot study on a wellness coaching program at the Boston Housing Authority.

Conducting a secondary analysis of qualitative interviews of patients with bladder cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a PhD and a DNP?

Does the PhD program have pre-requisites?

Yes. Post-MSN students are expected to show satisfactory completion of an epidemiology course and a basic statistics course. Post-BSN students are expected to show satisfactory completion of a basic statistics course.

Is there financial support for students?

A select number of graduate assistantships may be available for doctoral students, which covers tuition and includes a stipend in exchange for 20 hours of work each week.

Can I complete the program part-time?

Yes, part-time options are available for post-BSN and post-MSN students.

Is the GRE required?

Yes, the GRE is required. A minimum GRE score of 300 or equivalent for the verbal and quantitative combined within the last 5 years.

Is an RN license required?

Students must have a current Massachusetts Registered Nurse (RN) license.

When are courses scheduled?

While the schedule may fluctuate depending on the semester, courses are generally scheduled during the day and evening 2 days a week.

Can I transfer courses into the program?

Students may be able to transfer in up to 3 courses (9 credits) that have not been previously used towards another degree and were taken at the graduate level. Students must receive approval from the program director prior to transferring courses. The transfer policy can be found in the PhD program handbook.

Are courses offered online?

No, all required courses are offered in-person at Northeastern University’s Boston campus. Some electives and cognates may be offered online or in a hybrid format.

Can I speak with faculty in the PhD program that may share my research interests?

Yes, we would be happy to put you in touch with our faculty. Please send your query to Dr. Pam Burke, Program Director, at pj.burke@northeastern.edu, along with a description of your research interests so you can be appropriately matched.